Column: New Carr ready for a spin? Oakland Raiders should take it's time with rookie quarterback

Marcio Jose sanchez— The Associated Press
Oakland Raiders rookie Derek Carr has all the tools to become a productive NFL quarterback. But, the Silver & Black would be best served letting the former Fresno State Bulldog watch and learn this season.

That simple statement should be the Oakland Raiders' mantra when it comes to prized rookie Derek Carr.

The No. 36 pick out of Fresno State has generated some buzz recently with NFL Network's Albert Breer proclaiming "there is internal belief" the quarterback will push Matt Schaub for the starting job. Breer's report also noted Carr has convinced the team he won't need a redshirt season.

That really should be the extent of it: Carr making Schaub look over his shoulder just enough to keep the vet sharp and focused.

Because the nitty-gritty is this: If Carr is truly the QB of the future in Oakland, it is imperative the team give him a watch-and-learn season.

Head coach Dennis Allen and his coaching staff intelligently annointed Schaub the starter upon his arrival in Oakland.

"I haven't made any bones about (the fact) I brought Matt Schaub in here to be a starter," said Raiders head coach Dennis Allen. "He's been a top 10 quarterback in this league. There are a lot of teams out there that would love a top-10 quarterback in this league. I feel like we have one, so that's the way we're going right now."

One of the worst things a team can do to a signal caller is send them under center not ready. And that's what Carr would be if he were the game-one starter.

This isn't a knock on the young QB.

He has all the physical tools to become a big-time gunslinger in the league: A quick cannon of an arm, sound field vision, great feet and mobility and excellent leadership qualities in the huddle.

But the only way Carr should be under center week one is if Schaub is injured.

Do Raider fans really want to see their shiny brand new Carr on the road trying to best Rex Ryan's New York Jets defense in New Jersey?

Remember Carr's less-than-stellar showing for Fresno against USC in the Las Vegas Bowl? The Trojans sent a multitude of blitzes his way, and Carr wilted against the pressure.

And, as everyone knows, Rex loves to bring the pain with a bevy of pass rushers making the Jets a dangerous challenge for any young QB.

Those clamoring for Carr to start immediately need a blunt reality check: Doing that would put Derek on the path to become his older brother David.

The elder Carr was infamously rushed onto the field by the-then brand spanking new expansion Texans in 2002.

Like his younger bro, David was a gifted passer during his days as a Bulldog at Fresno. He rode the success and fame to the draft, where he was the No. 1 overall pick by Houston.

After five valiant seasons, David absorbed an ungodly 249 sacks thanks to a lack of an offensive line and viable weapons, and was irrevocably broken.

Houston had no choice. They had to put their top pick under center as there were no better options — just journeyman Tony Banks — available at the time.

That's not the case for Derek in Oakland.

Schaub is primed for a bounce-back year after injuries rendered him ineffective as a Texan last season and led to the trade to the Raiders.

Schaub says he's completely healthy, and he is champing at the bit to prove he can become the unquestioned leader at the position since Rich Gannon retired.

"I'll want to come in and take control of the huddle. That's the job of the quarterback," Schaub said. "It's up to me to set a standard for how our offense is going to operate, how we're going to work and how we're going to prepare. You've got to demand that out of the guys in the huddle with you."

Schaub himself was a benefactor of patience.

Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round, the Virginia Tech alum played intermittently during his first three years in the league serving as the back up to Michael Vick before a trade to the Texans.